TURKMENISTAN: INVITATION TO SECRETARY OF ENERGY TO

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000195

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN; EEB
PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN
COMMERCE FOR HUEPER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EPET TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INVITATION TO SECRETARY OF ENERGY TO
PARTICIPATE IN ENERGY TRANSIT CONFERENCE


1. (U) On February 4, post received the following invitation for the
Secretary of Energy to attend a ministerial-level, Government of
Turkmenistan-sponsored international energy transit conference in
Ashgabat, April 23-24. The following is the text of the invitation,
followed by information about the conference itself. The original
invitation and attachment were sent via diplomatic pouch to SCA/CEN
for forwarding to the Department of Energy.


2. (U) BEGIN INVITATION TEXT:

Dear Mr. Minister,

Let me to inform you, that the Government of Turkmenistan in
cooperation with the United Nations Organization will organize on
23-24 April, 2009 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan the high-level
international conference "Reliable and stable transit of energy and
its role in ensuring sustainable development and international
cooperation".

The above-mentioned conference is conducted in accordance with the
Resolution "Reliable and stable transit of energy and its role in
ensuring sustainable development and international cooperation",
initiated by Turkmenistan and adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly on December 19th, 2008.

The purpose of the mentioned conference is to review the problems
related to reliable and stable transportation of energy to the
international markets, including issues of trade, investments and
management.

One of the important items in agenda of the conference would be the
discussion of conceptual approaches and elaboration of practical
recommendations on drafting the international legal document of the
United Nations aimed at development of mechanisms and guarantees to
provide security for energy carriers system functioning.

Turkmenistan highly appreciates your country's co-sponsorship of the
above-mentioned resolution.

In this connection, I would like to invite you to attend the
above-mentioned international conference.

I believe that your participation in its work will bring
contribution to the development of international cooperation.

The expenses related to your participation in the conference,
including round trip transport expenses to Ashgabat, accommodation
and meals while staying in Turkmenistan will be covered by Turkmen
side.

Please accept, Mr. Minister, the assurances of my highest
consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Tachberdi TAGIYEV

His Excellency
Mr. Steven CHU
Minister of Energy of the USA
Washington

END INVITATION TEXT


3. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF CONFERENCE INFORMATION:

High-level international conference "Reliable and stable transit of
energy and its role in ensuring sustainable development and
international cooperation" (23-24 April 2009, Ashgabat,
Turkmenistan)

INTRODUCTION

The energy resources are one of the most important components of
world economy development. Production, transportation and
realization of energy resources are constantly increasing, thus no
doubt demonstrating a positive aspect since it stimulates
social-economic development. All energy producers expect the
stability in demand, while energy consumers require guaranteed and



stable supplies.

The increased demand for energy in the world has brought new
opportunities for countries-producers of energy resources to
increase production of oil and gas for replenishment of new
markets.

The successful implementation of energy production and
transportation projects requires the most advanced technologies and
governance approaches to avoid environmental consequences to achieve
sustainable development. Management. The elaboration of common and
transparent rules in the operation of energy markets and countries'
commitment to observe them in practice would create a climate
necessary for energy security and further promote the achievement of
goals of every country's sustainable economic development.

During its 63rd session, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution
"Reliable and stable transit of energy and its role in ensuring
sustainable development and international cooperation". This
resolution was initiated by the Government of Turkmenistan,
co-sponsored by 57 UN member-states and supported by 192 countries.

This conference is to provide a forum for information and experience
exchange on the issue within the bounds of the Resolution. The
conference is expected to adopt a Declaration summarizing the
outcome of the meeting and providing directions for future
activities.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE:

The main objective of the conference is to enhance the dialogue on
the issues of secure transportation of energy resources. This
dialogue will be based on the diversity of views expressed at the
conference to provide objective information to the governments,
companies and investors.

The conference is intended to become and international forum for
energy supply producers, transporters and consumers with the aim
to:

--to assess recent trends, technology developments and policy
perspectives pertaining to international cooperation in developing
energy transportation systems including pipelines;

--to exchange views among leaders and energy policy makers of the
countries on the maters of both national and regional policies and
measures to improve reliability in energy transportation systems;

--for capacity building and experience exchange among interested
parties;

--to identify gaps and barriers to the development and
implementation of reciprocal common energy cooperation policy;

--to identify new project ideas, potential new partners and ways of
cooperation.

MAIN CONFERENCE TOPICS

In order to promote international cooperation in developing energy
recourses transportation systems the Government of Turkmenistan in
collaboration with the United Nations is organizing the
International Conference "Reliable and stable transit of energy and
its role in ensuring sustainable development and international
cooperation" to be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on 23-24 April

2009.

The conference will focus on the following main areas:

--International energy cooperation: challenges and potentials.

--Strengthening security of energy supply.

--Promoting trade, investment and assisting the advanced methods of
governance.

ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES


The conference will be conducted by the Government of Turkmenistan
in collaboration with the United Nations. The Government of
Turkmenistan invites representatives of Governments, international
organizations, companies, financial institutions to participate at
the conference.

END TEXT OF CONFERENCE INFORMATION.

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